Sudan’s former president Omar al-Bashir has appeared in public for the first time since he was overthrown by the military.

The deposed leader has been held under arrest in the capital, Khartoum, since he was removed from power in April amid mass protests against his 30-year rule.

A judicial official with the prosecutor’s office said al-Bashir was being questioned over corruption accusations that included money laundering and the possession of large amounts of foreign currency without legal grounds.

Al-Bashir, centre, returning to prison following his appearance before prosecutors
Al-Bashir, centre, returning to prison following his appearance before prosecutors (Mahmoud Hjaj/AP)

He said the probe partly related to millions of dollars worth of cash in US dollars, euro and Sudanese pounds that were found in al-Bashir’s home a week after he was deposed.

A spokesman with the military’s media office confirmed that Sunday was the first time the former president had been taken out from his prison in Khartoum.

Al-Arabiya television footage showed al-Bashir wearing a traditional white robe and turban, as he was led to a Toyota Land Cruiser.

In May, al-Bashir was charged with involvement in killing protesters and incitement to kill protesters during the popular uprising that started in December, initially over the price rises of basic goods and a failing economy, but which later turned into calls for his removal.

General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo addresses supporters during a rally
General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo addresses supporters during a rally (Hussein Malla/AP)

The military toppled him on April 11.

Al-Bashir is also wanted by the International Criminal Court over charges of war crimes and genocide linked to the Darfur conflict in the 2000s, but the military has said it would not extradite him to The Hague.

He was the only sitting head of state for whom an international arrest warrant has been issued.

Meanwhile, the deputy head of Sudan’s ruling military council said on Sunday that demands from protest leaders for the composition of a transitional legislative body might not be acceptable.

After removing al-Bashir from power, the military has been locked in a tense standoff with a protest movement over who should lead the country’s transition.

General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo told a gathering of pro-military supporters in the capital on Sunday that “our problem is a non-elected legislative body which would root out all of us”.

He said that a legislative body formed with a majority from protest movement leaders, who were demanding civilian rule, was a problem because it was not formed by elections.

This would suggest a reversal to previous deals between the military and protest leaders, which included a three-year transition period, a Cabinet appointed by the protest leaders, and a legislative body with a civilian majority.